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Virtual Labs (OER)
 
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Simulations and Virtual Labs

This page provides a list of free virtual labs and simulations structured based on their academic discipline​. Kindly try them and use them for free in your courses.

 

Engineering

  • Energy3D
    A simulation-based engineering tool for designing green buildings and power stations that harness renewable energy to achieve sustainable development.
  • Flowsquare
    A two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software for unsteady, non-reactive/reactive flows. The aim of this software is to provide a handy CFD environment so that more people can get to know what CFD is like and simulate flows for their educational and/or academic interests.
  • GNU Radio
    A free & open-source software development toolkit that provides signal processing blocks to implement software radios. It can be used with readily-available low-cost external RF hardware to create software-defined radios, or without hardware in a simulation-like environment.
  • LogicSim
    design and simulate digital logic circuits with logic gates like AND, OR, FlipFlop, etc.
  • Open Simulation Interface
    A generic interface for the environmental perception of automated driving functions in virtual scenarios.
  • Reactor Lab
    A desktop app that provides simulations of a variety of chemical reactors. The Lab is useful in teaching Chemical Reaction Engineering. Students can actively learn about chemical reactions and reactors by performing experiments and analyzing data – quickly, safely, and inexpensively.
  • SimSE
    An educational software engineering simulation environment whose goal is to bridge the gap between the large amount of conceptual software engineering knowledge given to students in lectures and the comparably small amount of this they actually get to put into practice in an associated "toy" software engineering project.
  • Verilator
    Verilog/SystemVerilog simulator.
  • Virtual Labs
    Collection of virtual labs in engineering.
  • Virtual Labs
    Provides users with the result of an experiment by one of the following methods: modeling physical phenomenon through a set of equations and simulations to yield the result of a particular experiment.

Life Sciences

  • Avida-ED
    Allows students to design and perform experiments to test hypotheses about evolutionary mechanisms using evolving digital organisms.
  • Biology Simulations
    Simulations to help students learn about biology and practice data analysis skills.
  • Bioman Biology
    BioMan Biology is the fun place to learn Biology! Here you will find learning games, review games, virtual labs and quizzes that will help you to learn about cells, ecology, genetics, physiology, and much more!
  • Build Your Own Brain (BYOB)
    An online game that lets the user build a simple network of neurons and see how they might function.
  • Case It!
    Molecular biology simulations for case-based learning in biology.
  • DNA from the Beginning
    An animated primer of 75 experiments that made modern genetics.
  • eSkeletons
    Provides an interactive environment in which to examine and learn about skeletal anatomy.
  • Evo Ed
    Case studies in evolution that track the development of traits from their origination in DNA mutation, to the production of different proteins, to the fixation of alternate macroscopic phenotypes in reproductively isolated populations.
  • Gelbox
    Open source interactive simulation tool for gel electrophorisis.
    General Microbiology Labs
  • Labs and lectures on microbiology from the University of Wyoming.
  • Geniventure
    Students level up as they select alleles to control phenotypes, make predictions from genotypes, use meiosis to create gametes, and study inheritance by breeding baby drakes.
  • HHMI BioInteractive
    Labs, interactive media, and videos. Also offers iOS apps.
  • Learn.Genetics
    Offers online lessons in genetics, cell biology, evolution, human health, plant biology, neuroscience, and ecology. Also offers interactive genetics labs.
  • NAVS Online Dissection Resources
    Curated list of virtual dissection labs and simulations from the National Anti-Vivisection Society.
  • NCEP Resources for Conservation Educators and Practitioners
    Open access, electronic resources for conservation educators and trainers. They include diverse topics in conservation science and are designed for the post-secondary level.
  • Neuroscience in the time of Corona
    Crowd-sourced compendium of resources for teaching neuroscience.
  • Nursing Assistant Resources: Virtual Dissection
    Virtual dissection labs for studying human and animal anatomy and physiology.
  • Optical Microscopy Primer
    Virtual microscopes that offer lessons in specimen focus, illumination intensity, magnification, and translation.
  • QUBES
    Virtual labs and simulations for teaching quantitative biology.
  • Mendelian genetics cross simulator. Allows students to simulate mating experiments between organisms that are genetically different across a range of traits to analyze the nature of the traits in question.
  • Virtual Fetal Pig Dissection
    Supplement to laboratory dissections exploring introductory mammalian anatomy and physiology.
  • Whole Frog Project
    Provides the ability to explore the anatomy of a frog by using data from high resolution MRI imaging and mechanical sectioning, together with 3D surface and volume rendering software.

Medicine and Health Sciences

Physical Sciences and Mathematics

  • Algodoo
    Gives users the opportunity to play with physics. Use your own hands and simple drawing tools to design, construct and explore the world of physics.
  • Astro Simulations
    Online implementation of several NAAP simulations from the Columbia University Center for Teaching and Learning.
  • Chem1 Virtual Textbook
    Reference text for general chemistry.
  • CheMagic
    Provides a virtual model kit, chemistry demonstration videos, and liberal arts chemistry essays.
  • ChemCollective
    A collection of virtual labs, scenario-based learning activities, tutorials, and concept tests.
  • Chemix
    Chemix is an online editor for drawing science lab diagrams and school experiment apparatus. The app provides easy sketching for both students and teachers.
  • ChemReaX
    A chemical reaction modeling and simulation app.
  • ChemSims
    Simulations from the National Science Foundation covering solubility, kinetics, atomic interactions, gas laws, equilibrium, acid base, photoelectric effect, and atomic emissions.
  • Digital Lab Techniques Manual
    A series of videos designed to help users prepare for chemistry laboratory class.
  • GEAS Project Astronomy Laboratory Exercises
    Online exercises designed for distance learning. Includes archive of images and spectra as well as video tutorials.
    goREACT
  • Create virtual chemical reactions.
  • The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science
    Environmental Science online course text and a coordinated website which includes streamed video programs, five interactive simulations, background on the scientists who created the content and those whose research is documented, a professional development guide, and additional resources.
  • HTML5 Physics Simulations
    Manipulate systems and experiment with climate change, motion, forces, gravity, momentum, energy, and rotation.
  • Jules Verne Voyager, Jr.
    An interactive map developed by UNAVCO where users can add earthquakes, stress axes, volcanoes, or plate boundaries to the entire world or by country.
    Mixed Reception
  • Students use molar mass calculations, the scientific method, and basic knowledge of chemical reactions to solve a murder mystery. Students interview suspects and gather evidence as they solve the case.
    NC State Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Teaching Laboratories - S.M.A.R.T. Lab Videos
  • Student created videos teaching introductory organic chemistry lab techniques.
  • Nebraska Astronomy Applet Project
    Simulations of a wide range of astronomical phenomena, organized into unites of related simulations with readings.
    Nuclear Reimagined Virtual Field Trip
  • Journey to the leading nuclear research facility in the country, Idaho National Laboratory. Step inside a nuclear reactor, explore unexpected careers in nuclear science, and see what the future may hold thanks to advances in nuclear capabilities.
  • Online Resources for Organic Chemistry
    List of URLs to online animations, videos, simulations, & demos compiled by the chem ed and biochem ed communities.
    Open Source Physics
  • Provides curriculum resources that engage students in physics, computation, and computer modeling. Computational physics and computer modeling provide students with new ways to understand, describe, explain, and predict physical phenomena.
  • oPhysics
    A collection of interactive physics simulations.
  • Physical Geology 101 Lab Study Material
    A handful of virtual labs with fillable worksheets and lab reports.
  • The Physics Aviary
    Cross-platform, run-anywhere, programs to help physics students around the world master the big ideas in physics.
  • The Physics Classroom
    Physics simulations, tutorials, and concept builders.
  • Physics Simulations
    Interactive physics simulations.
  • PlanetMaker
    Allows users to create and tweak their own planet using image textures and lighting.
  • Royal Society of Chemistry Education Resources
    Resources to help teach chemistry for primary, secondary, and higher education.
  • Scilab
    Open source software for numerical computation.
  • SDSS Skyserver Projects
    Activities to examine many topics in astronomy including H-R diagrams, spectroscopies, galaxy classification, Hubble's Law, and more.
  • Teaching Geoscience Online
    Geoscience lab activities.
  • Tutorial Materials and Resources by Professor Gary L. Bertrand
    List of simulated experiments, self-tests, and tutorials.
  • Virtual Chemistry Experiments
    A collection of interactive web-based chemistry tutorials.
  • Virtual Microscope
    Allows users to examine and explore minerals and microscopic features of rocks, helping them to develop classification and identification skills without the need for high-cost microscopes and thin section preparation facilities.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

  • AnyLogic
    Simulation software that combines discrete event, system dynamics, and agent-based simulation methods so you can model any real-world system or process.
  • iCivics
    Designed to engage students in meaningful civic learning. Provides teachers with well-written, inventive, and free resources.
  • APA Online Psychology Laboratory
    Offers interactive demonstrations and experiments as well as sample datasets.

Multi-Disciplinary

  • CK-12
    Multidisciplinary open-source content and technology tools to help
    teachers provide learning for students.
  • Data Nuggets
    Provides details of authentic science research projects and activities for practice looking for patterns and developing explanations about natural phenomena.
  • eduMedia
    Interactive resources for science learning.
    Gendered Innovations Case Studies      
  • Case studies demonstrating how methods of sex and gender analysis function to create gendered innovations in science, health, medicine, engineering, and environment.
  • Investigative Case-Based Learning
    Investigative cases draw from realistic situations in which scientific reasoning can be applied. Although the case defines a general area of science under investigation, students generate specific questions to guide their study.
  • JoVE
    Videos of laboratory methods and science concepts.
  • LabXchange
    Curates and creates world-class digital labs, delivered on a free, online platform that lets you integrate your learning and research experiences.
  • LibreTexts
    Multidisciplinary online textbook platform.
  • Molecular Workbench
    A modeling tool for designing and conducting computational experiments across science.
  • National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
    A collection of essays examining every aspect of the case study method and its use in the science classroom.
  • NOVA
    In-depth science programming in the form of one-hour documentaries and long-form mini-series, from the latest breakthroughs in technology to the deepest mysteries of the natural world.
  • PhET
    Interactive simulations for physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and earth science.
  • Science Buddies
    Empowers K-12 students, parents, and teachers to quickly and easily find free project ideas and help in all areas of science from physics to food science and music to microbiology.
  • WOLFRAM Demonstrations Project
    Part of the family of free online resources from Wolfram. Its daily growing collection of interactive illustrations is created by participating Wolfram users from around the world.